How many elements are presently known? About how many occur naturally?

Key Concepts

Periodic Table of Elements

The Periodic Table of Elements is a tabular arrangement of all known chemical elements, organized by increasing atomic number. It provides essential information about each element, including its symbol, atomic mass, and group properties. As of now, there are 118 confirmed elements, with the first 92 occurring naturally on Earth.

Natural vs. Synthetic Elements

Natural elements are those that occur in nature without human intervention, while synthetic elements are artificially created in laboratories. Of the 118 known elements, 80 are considered naturally occurring, including essential elements like carbon, oxygen, and gold. The remaining elements are typically unstable and have been produced through nuclear reactions.

Stability and Radioactivity

Stability refers to an element's ability to exist without undergoing radioactive decay. Naturally occurring elements tend to be stable, while many synthetic elements are radioactive and decay quickly. Understanding the stability of elements is crucial for distinguishing between those that can be found in nature and those that are man-made.